Gabriela martina

BIO

Gabriela Martina is a vocalist, composer and educator. Released in 2016 with a four-star review from DownBeat, her newest album, No White Shoes, represents a major step in the singer’s sojourn as a 21st-century musician. Martina had the opportunity to perform and collaborate with heavyweights like Meshell Ndegeocello, Jack DeJohnette, and Angelique Kidjo. She recorded with veteran drummer J.R. Robinson and was a semi-finalist in the Shure Voice Competition at the 2009 Montreux Jazz Festival, performing with guitarist Lee Ritenour’s band. Martina released a critically hailed EP in 2010, Curiosity, which included her original song “Ain’t Nobody,” a finalist in the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Foundation Young Jazz Composer Awards in 2012. She sings in four languages (German, English, French, and Spanish) and is currently performing with various groups up and down the East Coast. Martina owns her own booking agency called Red Velvet Sounds and is cofounder and curator of the In Momentum concert series.

Martina is a social activist who is passionate about learning more about other cultures, helping to develop a sense for community, and fighting inequality and racism. She is a strong advocate of causes that promote equal human rights independent of religious or political affiliations. From 2009 to 2010, Martina was the founder and president of the Cultural Leaders Club at Berklee College of Music, where students investigated causes and effects in terms of race, gender, and ethnicity issues. Sonic Relief, which Martina cofounded, was awarded the Berklee Urban Service Award 2016 for using music to aid people in need, such as organizing a humanitarian fundraising concert for Syrian refugees, featuring Simon Shaheen and the Lee Swensen Katz Trio in December 2015.

SELECTED OTHER RECORDINGS

Press

“Gabriela Martina’s Swiss roots offer an incredible range as she practically yodels her way through “Narcissus” en route to her mostly originals program on No White Shoes (Self Release; 55:42 ★★★★)”

– Downbeat, John Ephland

“No White Shoes offers an impressive range of musical settings for Gabriela Martina’s agile voice in her originals and her unexpected takes on jazz standards. […] The album is a strong showing for Gabriela.”

-Mark Small, Editor, Berklee Today magazine

“Gabriela Martina’s Swiss roots offer an incredible range as she practically yodels her way through “Narcissus” en route to her mostly originals program on No White Shoes (Self Release; 55:42 ★★★★). Her delivery is a blend of jazz with pop improvisation, and her creative, invested covers of Wayne Shorter’s “Witch Hunt” (stunningly sung as overdubbed a cappella) and Dizzy Gillespie’s “A Night In Tunisia” (a flat-out rocker featuring guitarist Jussi Reijonen) uproot convention.”– Downbeat, John Ephland

“…The songwriting and singing both recall Joni Mitchell—one of pop music’s greatest eclectic artists—and Finnish guitarist Jussi Reijonen turns in a memorable rock guitar solo….An impressive debut. Gabriela Martina has a contemporary sound—similar to artists like Gretchen Parlato or even Norah Jones—but with more emphasis on her own songwriting. It’s a potent blend of jazz and pop, stamped with her own personality and aided by a strong backing band…”-Mark Sullivan from All About JazzMusician/composer (librarian by profession) with a special interest in bebop-based jazz and experimental music, writer for All About Jazz

“No White Shoes offers an impressive range of musical settings for Gabriela Martina’s agile voice in her originals and her unexpected takes on jazz standards. Of note are the gorgeous layered a cappella vocals in her treatment of Wayne Shorter’s “Witch Hunt,” the mood swings from the introspective “Us”and “Love Me” to the r&b bump of the title song, and a rocked up take on Dizzy’s “A Night in Tunisia.” Throughout, Gabriela scats liberally while also generously sharing solo time with her very capable band members. The album is a strong showing for Gabriela.”-Mark Small, Editor, Berklee Today magazine

“Female jazz singers with a timbre, an expressiveness, a voice range and such a feeling for real good songs you’ll find not so often at the moment. Gabriela Martina’s voice is swinging upwards in the highest heights, and in the next moment she’s trying some scat-singing. Amazing!”-Rainer Bratfisch, Jazz Podium, Germany

“Gabriela has the unique ability to send the listener on a sonic ride through beautiful vocals backed up by tight orchestration. It’s beyond easy on the ears .. it’s an elegance that captures the best of where jazz is today and why it was created in the first place. Gabriela is a talent that shines on today and will continue to dazzle as her career marches on confidently like a soaring song she puts her touch on.”– Joe Dimino – Neon Jazz Radio – Kansas City, MO

“The compositions are stand-outs. Exceptionally powerful. And she is the perfect vessel.”-Trish Hennessy, Hybrid Jazz

“Some artists hit you on a wave-length that is a natural one for you, and do it with such flair and verve that you are hooked into the music for good and all. […] poetic, sophisticated harmonically and melodically, with some rock/jazz overtones and a general unpredictability in the best sense.”– Grego Applegate Edwards, gapplegatemusicreview.blogspot.com

“… I had the pleasure of performing with Gabriela Martina at the 7th Shure Jazz Voice Competition, hosted by the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2009. Gabriela is an outstanding arranger and vocalist. Her talent and skills have exposed her to many respected and wellknown musicians…”-Patrice RushenComposer/Producer/International Recording Artist/Pianist/ Educator

“There are slight similarities to other’s working in the modern jazz genre, but none which subtract from the singular phrasing and insight that Gabriela Martina brings to her artistry. Whether weaving original multi-layered vocal lines to classics such as Wayne Shorter’s Witch Hunt or distinctively re-interpreting Dizzy Gillespie’s A Night in Tunisia, Ms. Martina makes a strong case for her own brand of imaginatively refreshing jazz. “– John Hammell, Homegrown RadioNJ

“It is with great pleasure to be assured that Gabriela is continuing her quest of intense determination to create original music of taste and uniqueness. Her recent recordings confirms her relentless work!”-Joe SampleComposer/Pianist (The Crusaders, Tina Turner, B.B. King, Eric Clapton)

“The one to really raise the eyebrows is an almost Queen-like read with electrical guitars on a roller coaster ride during “A Night In Tunisia” while pulling out the passion plugs on a delicate piano duet on “Thirsty Flower.” A wonderful white knuckler.”– by George Harris, Jazz weekly

“I can’t recall hearing such a beautiful and unique voice as Gabriela’s. I would call her the Enya of jazz”– Randy McElliot, from www.mcran.com Radio

“A great vocal jazz CD with excellent original tracks and superb versions. Especially the well-known Gillespie’s “A night in Tunisia” is a magic track with overflowing pop, jazz and rock elements. A true surprise!”– DISKORYCHION/ VINYLMINE from GREECE

“Gabriela is from Switzerland but is now resident in the USA. Her vocal range is on display to marvellous effect on this release with very stylish backing from all the musicians particularly Jussi Reijonen. It’s important to keep the faith on this fine musical mix for a true appreciation of what is on offer. I was particularly impressed with the manner in which Wayne Shorter’s Witch Hunt was tackled – the multi tracked choral effect is marvellous. A Night In Tunisia stands out also bringing a anew dimension to what is an oft covered classic.Of the originals on the album Narcissus stands out & is a most positive lead track. The amount of styles & freedom on the various tracks will overwhelm some listeners so patience is the key for complete appreciation of this fine work.”-Sean Brophy, Jazz Mine presenter /producer Saturdays 5PM dublincityfm.ie or Mixcloud.com

“A little Brazilian, a little nu jazz, a little cabaret, a little rock—it all mashes up nicely as she crafts her own design.[…] After hours music that really sounds good any time at all.”– Chris Spector, Midwest Record

“Gabriela Martina is most definitely a force to be reckoned with. She has been compared to Norah Jones and Joni Mitchell, but personally I don’t get that. Martina doesn’t sound like an artiste who’s ‘flirting’ with jazz, she is the real thing, the body and soul of jazz. Her music is forceful, but sensitive, in a way that reminds me of Annette Peacock, surely our greatest living female jazz composer and performer.”-Richard Pearson – ENTERTAINMENT Radio, Scarborough, UK

“Young Swiss-born Gabriela Martina is one of the most intriguing female jazz vocalists to step on to the jazz landscape lately. Presenting crisp, high-reaching vocals on a host of fresh, modern and funk-styled jazz originals and re-imagined standards, her debut album, “No White Shoes,” delivers a powerful musical introduction to a gifted singer who, we are certain, to hear much more of, in the future.”– Edward BlancoProducer and Host of “Jazz Café” at WDNA, 88.9FM in Miami, FL and writer with Allaboutjazz.com

“Swiss-born vocalist Gabriela Martina’s debut album No White Shoes is a compelling showcase of diverse sound, and a marvelous voice. At its core, the album is bebop jazz infused with contemporary techno and rock, all held together by Martina’s impressive range. She can go from a somber to ecstatic sound in an instant.”– Dave Luhrssen, Express Milwaukee, Milwaukee

“Gabriela’s well-crafted compositions have a pop catchiness, but retain an essential jazz feel; her vocals are confident, and the musical backup is excellent. Guitarist Jussi Reijonen is a standout, especially on Narcissus and A Night in Tunisia.”-Charles Husson, Host-Evening Jazz, Hawai’i Public Radio

“…when I say Gabriela Martina is in an elite class I say it because she has achieved it by playing hundreds of gigs where the real playing is taking place and she has lived the “Music Life”, performing and composing around the world, playing Jazz with a unique blend of world influences…”-Jamey Haddad, Percussionist (Paul Simon, Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman)

“It takes a strong person, and a unique artist, to work their way through it. From my experience in the industry, and with Gabriela personally […] I believe she has what it takes.“-David Greenberg, Director of Marketing – Ted Kurland Associates

“Gabriela Martina’s participation in a musical project challenges everyone to reach for the next level, she is constantly inspiring the musicians she performs with to do their best work.”-Joe Mulholland, Pianist, recording artist, composer, teacher & Chair of the Harmony Department of Berklee College of Music

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BIO

Gabriela Martina is a vocalist, composer and educator. Released in 2016 with a four-star review from DownBeat, her newest album, No White Shoes, represents a major step in the singer’s sojourn as a 21st-century musician. Martina had the opportunity to perform and collaborate with heavyweights like Meshell Ndegeocello, Jack DeJohnette, and Angelique Kidjo. She recorded with veteran drummer J.R. Robinson and was a semi-finalist in the Shure Voice Competition at the 2009 Montreux Jazz Festival, performing with guitarist Lee Ritenour’s band. Martina released a critically hailed EP in 2010, Curiosity, which included her original song “Ain’t Nobody,” a finalist in the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Foundation Young Jazz Composer Awards in 2012. She sings in four languages (German, English, French, and Spanish) and is currently performing with various groups up and down the East Coast. Martina owns her own booking agency called Red Velvet Sounds and is cofounder and curator of the In Momentum concert series.

Martina is a social activist who is passionate about learning more about other cultures, helping to develop a sense for community, and fighting inequality and racism. She is a strong advocate of causes that promote equal human rights independent of religious or political affiliations. From 2009 to 2010, Martina was the founder and president of the Cultural Leaders Club at Berklee College of Music, where students investigated causes and effects in terms of race, gender, and ethnicity issues. Sonic Relief, which Martina cofounded, was awarded the Berklee Urban Service Award 2016 for using music to aid people in need, such as organizing a humanitarian fundraising concert for Syrian refugees, featuring Simon Shaheen and the Lee Swensen Katz Trio in December 2015.

HOMAGE TO GRäMLIS

I am currently working on an album called ‘Homage to Grämlis’ which tells the story about my upbringing on a beautiful dairy farm in Switzerland. It includes traditional Swiss yodel sounds, cow bells, accordion and possibly alphorn fused with all the musical influences (Gospel/R’n’B/Soul/Jazz etc) I have been exposed to during my 10 years of living as a freelance musician here in the United States. There will be 6-8 musicians involved in this project who all pursue their own careers, some from different parts in the world and eager to share their knowledge in combination with the purpose of this album.

Nature has always been a huge part of my life and educational work about the cycle of food, nutrition combined with social work to build a better sense of community are major goals in my life. The passion of music and caring for others built up more and more within me, so that as a little girl, I had my dream to become a singer to save the world. I would like to share the story of my family – the work of my parents as farmers in Switzerland that changed the lives of a huge community.

Food is a central part in our lives. Some have too little, some have clearly too much of it. My parents provided fresh food, a pet zoo and school classes were taught right there on the fields and in the stable. Their work taught many school kids where the milk really comes from, they planted trees as a sign for life that continues and squeezed the juice out of fresh apples in the fall to complete the cycle of seasons. Today we distance ourselves more and more from nature. As a result of having a small family farm (and mind you: this is in Switzerland with all its benefits) and struggling for years, my parents had to end their farm business before retirement age and my Dad had to find another job. It is very sad to have to observe how bigger companies are about to take over everywhere in the world they can find something resourceful.

My album tells various personal stories that people will be able to learn from with today’s global issues such as ‘hunger versus luxury’, ‘organic food versus processed food’, ‘farm life versus city life’ etc. In the end it all comes down to: healthy food > healthy bodies > healthy souls.

Giving concerts with the new compositions of this album will be a major part of this project. I am working now on booking a tour for spring 2020 in Switzerland and summer/fall 2020 in the East Coast of the United States.

Through my new music, I have a feeling I will be able to come a step closer to my mission as a musician. Sharing my early life story in such a beautiful musical context can hopefully open some hearts for people in difficult situations.